Northumberland schools improve their A-level figures
15 Aug 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Students across Northumberland have been celebrating their achievements today in what has been an extremely good year for A-levels taken across the county.
Most of the schools in Northumberland have posted better results than they did in 2018 and, across the county overall, more students have achieved higher grades and will be going on to their first choice of higher education, apprenticeships or employment
Seven schools bettered their 2018 figures for students achieving the highest grades (AAB) in two or more facilitating subjects, with Astley Community High School and Berwick Academy almost doubling their outcomes from last year, James Calvert Spence College improved by 33% and Bedlington Academy improved by 12%.
The average grade for each A-level entry, as measured by the average point score, also improved for a number of schools including Ashington Academy, Cramlington Learning Village, Haydon Bridge High School, James Calvert Spence College, The Duchess High School and The King Edward IV Academy.
Councillor Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council said: “We are celebrating a great year with some really good performances by individual students across our schools and academies.
“This is testament to the hard work of students and their teachers and I would like to congratulate all those who have taken exams this year.
“A-level results day is such an important day in a student’s life and shapes their pathway into real options around further education, apprenticeships and jobs.
“We are determined as a council to build on successes and work with our schools and academies to provide them with the tools and buildings they need to help all young people thrive.”
Cllr Daley visited Astley Community High School this morning to meet with students as they received their results.
Executive headteacher at the school, John Barnes, said: “Once again I am incredibly impressed by the efforts and results of our students. They have worked extremely hard to obtain these wonderful results and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
Head of sixth form, Adam Ironside, added: “This is yet another year where all of our Year 13 students have moved positively onto the next stage of their lives. The students have achieved the best ever results with more A* grades than ever before and more students achieving A’s across the board in A-levels than ever before.
“Many will be going to universities around the country to study courses ranging from nursing to accounting and finance.
“Many others are embarking on high quality apprenticeships with companies and organisations such as Accenture, Network Rail, Hays Travel and the Merchant Navy. We are very proud of their achievements, and look forward to hearing about their future successes.”
A number of schools had outstanding results at A-level with 22 students at Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham achieving three or more A/A* equivalent grades. In addition, students at the school have achieved strong vocational results.
At King Edward VI School in Morpeth, 38 students achieved all A/A* grades, nine of whom achieved all A*s.
A large number of students across Northumberland received offers at their first choice university and others have decided to earn as they learn by opting for a more vocational route.
Apprenticeships are proving to be a great way of growing talent for the future as well as helping young people start their careers. Northumberland has recently launched a new apprenticeship programme in social care - Care for Life - where you can learn and earn a wage. You can find out more here: www.careforlife.org.uk or by phoning 01670 622104.
Cllr Daley added: “The world is changing and although many students are cut out for a traditional academic route, others have decided to fast track themselves into the job market by choosing an apprenticeship.
“We also shouldn’t forget those students with special educational needs and challenges who have excelled at the end of the school year with great results, and we saw an amazing example of this in a young lady at Astley this morning.
“Last but by no means least - we would like to sincerely thank all staff, parents and families for all their hard work and support for our young people in Northumberland.”